Lee Oskar key of C 2 draw flat or difficult to get sound

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I have 2 Lee Oskars in the key of C, and I’m learning the blues scale. I’m finding that the 2 draw, right out of the box, difficult to get airtight sound. I just hear air and a lot of effort to get sound. No other holes are a problem. It’s just strange that I’m having the same problem with 2 C major harmonicas. Any advice would help, thanks all!

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Amazing but true…

I had the same exact problem with the first LO I bought in A. @Luke encouraged me to keep working at it and I eventually got it to make a sound that sounded halfway decent.

Recently, with my new Harmo Polar in Gm, the same thing happened!

In both cases, I was ready to send them back but instead opened them up to take a look under the hood. I made sure the reeds were flying free of obstruction and did a few plings. The plings were at first flat, but when I put it back together again, in both cases they worked!

Part of the trouble may be technique, as the 2 has a big range to cover. The two draw takes subtlety to get it to sound right and not bend in the process. As a consolation prize the three blow gives the same note, but that’s cheating! :joy:

Make sure you can see light around the reeds when you hold them to the light. Run a thin piece of paper under the reeds. Then pling the reed to make sure they make a sound.

Opening up a new harp is scary, but in my case, it worked both times.

Blow, draw, smile, repeat :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

Good luck :saluting_face:

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Thanks for replying so quickly! I’ll have to get myself a tool specifically for harmonicas, as to not strip the screw. I saw one recently. Looks like I’ll be investing more in my beginner to boss training! :+1: thanks, again!

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A small screwdriver with multiple bits is what I use along with a little wooden dowel I found. :backhand_index_pointing_down:

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My attempts at tuning haven’t been good. I stick to opening them up and cleaning them up a bit.

Be careful where you put the nuts on the back of the LO screws. They are tiny little buggers and the harp must be completely flush for them to be put back on properly after you finish.

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Do you think an eyeglass set could work!

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*?, not !

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Absolutely :oncoming_fist:

My freebie screwdriver :screwdriver: thing I have shows names for each bit.

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Not sure if this is standard.

Both of these bits seem to grab the LO screw well.

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Thanks for all your help! I’ll get to work right away. :+1:

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